Ravens happy about Pernell McPhee's return

Pictures of the Ravens game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

Edward Lee

Pernell McPhee ended a five-day absence from Ravens training camp by taking part in Wednesday’s practice at the team’s headquarters in Owings Mills.

The second-year defensive end had been sidelined since June after undergoing knee surgery. Removed from the team’s physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list, McPhee did not appear hampered in any way by his surgically-repaired knee.

McPhee, who finished last season ranked second on the Ravens in sacks with six, is expected to compete with Arthur Jones for the opportunity to succeed Cory Redding as a starting defensive end.

Coach John Harbaugh was pleased by McPhee’s return, saying, “Very happy that Pernell is starting to work back in. Very excited to see him back. He is an important part of our defense, and we need him in there. But he needs a lot of work, too.”

Haloti Ngata is still on the PUP list after injuring his hamstring during a conditioning test, but Harbaugh said the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is making strides.

“Haloti’s coming along,” Harbaugh said. “Haloti thinks he’s pretty close. We’re probably working him a little slower than he’d like us to. But he’s starting to run now, and he’s going to be fine very soon. I don’t really have a timetable.”